Cape Coral: the building permit usually covers it
Cape Coral's Land Development Code, Section 5.3.2, says ground or vegetation changes that are not part of an approved site plan, subdivision plan or building permit need a Land Clearing and Fill permit. On a single-family lot, clearing and fill are normally covered by the house building permit, so most owners never pull a separate one.
The catch is timing. Clearing a residential lot before the building permit is issued is the case that needs its own permit, so check with the city's Permitting Services before any machine goes on the lot. The city also wants the Burrowing Owl/Gopher Tortoise Affidavit, and Cape Coral Fire says a land-clearing burn may need the Land Clearing and Fill permit too. See lot clearing in Cape Coral and the owl and tortoise guide.
Unincorporated Lee County: Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Alva
Lee County's Vegetation Removal Permit for single-family lots applies to lots of 5 acres or more in unincorporated Lee County, lots over 2 acres on Pine Island, and lots on barrier islands. The county's published fee for single-family lot clearing is $30 plus $1 per tree, not to exceed $25 per acre, and fees double for an after-the-fact permit.
Most Lehigh Acres lots are a quarter or half acre, well under the 5-acre line, so no separate county vegetation permit is needed for them. Acreage out toward Alva and Buckingham is where it starts to apply. Either way, the county's Residential Building Guide says lot clearing debris has to be properly disposed of, whatever the lot size. See lot clearing in Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers and land clearing in Lee County.
Collier County: Golden Gate Estates
Collier County's Vegetation Removal Affidavit says a permit for a new single-family house allows clearing up to one acre. If the clearing is not covered by the building permit, a separate Vegetation Removal Permit is needed, and no vegetation removal permit is issued until the other federal, state and county approvals are in.
Parcels in the Rural Fringe Mixed Use district may not be allowed to clear the full acre, and wetlands or overlays can add steps. Check the parcel with the county before clearing. See land clearing in Golden Gate Estates.
Charlotte County: Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda
Charlotte County's environmental permitting guide says a tree permit is required to remove a tree 4 inches in diameter or greater, and that using machinery bigger than a standard lawn mower needs a permit too. Hand clearing an unimproved lot is allowed as long as no machinery is involved.
The county's published fees are a $55 environmental inspection and a $70 single-family tree permit, plus $1 per caliper inch of the trees removed. Property over 1 acre that is being developed needs a current protected species assessment. Inside the City of Punta Gorda, ask the city, because its rules are its own. See lot clearing in Port Charlotte and land clearing in Punta Gorda.
Everywhere: gopher tortoises and burrowing owls
Gopher tortoises are protected statewide. The FWC says no permit is needed if every burrow is avoided by 25 feet in all directions, but a permit is needed before clearing within 25 feet of a potentially occupied burrow. Those surveys are done by an FWC Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent, and if clearing does not start within 90 days of the last full survey, the site has to be surveyed again.
Burrowing owls have their own guidelines, and Cape Coral asks for every burrow on the lot, in the right-of-way and on vacant lots next door to go on its affidavit. Walk the lot before the machine comes. The owl and tortoise guide covers what to look for.
Everywhere: Sunshine 811 and burning
Florida law requires a call to Sunshine 811 before digging, and that includes grading and trenching. Allow a minimum of two full business days, not counting weekends, holidays or the day you call.
The Florida Forest Service says land clearing, pile and acreage burning all need a burning authorization. Land clearing debris has to be burned at least 1,000 feet from any occupied building other than the landowner's and 100 feet from any paved public road, wildlands or brush, or in an air curtain incinerator. Cities and counties can be stricter, and burn bans stop it altogether. On most lots in town, the debris is hauled instead.
The short version
- Cape Coral and Golden Gate Estates: the house permit usually covers the clearing. Clearing before it is issued is what needs its own permit.
- Unincorporated Lee County: the vegetation removal permit starts at 5 acres, so typical Lehigh Acres lots do not need one.
- Charlotte County: a tree permit for trees 4 inches and up, or for any machinery bigger than a lawn mower.
- Gopher tortoise burrows: stay 25 feet away or get the FWC permit first, everywhere in Florida.
- Call Sunshine 811 two full business days before any digging or grading.
Quick answers
Do I need a permit to clear my lot in Cape Coral?
If you have a building permit for a house, it normally covers the clearing and fill. Clearing a residential lot before the building permit is issued needs a Land Clearing and Fill permit under the city's code. Check with Permitting Services first.
Do I need a vegetation removal permit in Lehigh Acres?
Not for a typical lot. Lee County's single-family vegetation removal permit applies to lots of 5 acres or more in unincorporated Lee County. The FWC tortoise and owl rules still apply, and the debris has to be disposed of properly.
How much clearing does a house permit allow in Golden Gate Estates?
Collier County's affidavit says a new single-family house permit allows clearing up to one acre. Rural Fringe parcels may be allowed less, and anything beyond that needs a Vegetation Removal Permit.
Can I clear land with a gopher tortoise burrow on it?
Only by staying 25 feet away from every burrow, or with an FWC permit obtained before clearing within that distance. An Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent does the survey.
Who handles the permits when Chops clears a lot?
On most new-home lots the owner or builder holds the building permit that covers clearing. We walk the lot first, point out burrows and anything that changes the plan, and work to the permit. Call (239) 560-2996 if you are not sure which rules apply to your lot.
See our lot clearing or call (239) 560-2996.